Strapping is the process of banding together a package to secure and contain the load inside for transportation. The practice of strapping is common in industrial packaging and there are many different types of straps available in the market. Each and every one of them has different characteristics and applications too.

Here are some of the most popular types of strappings with their advantages and disadvantages:

Steel Strapping

Steel strapping is probably the oldest tensile strapping method still available today. It was actually designed for heavy duty packaging on an industrial level and is still used by many organizations. However there are some drawbacks of steel strapping that are slowly making it obsolete. You can see the same from the below advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

It is strong and works well with heavy duty packaging
It is available in a variety of different sizes, length, width and weight categories
It has been around for ages and has built a reputation of trust among the industrial workers

Disadvantages

It is sturdy and heavy which is not ideal for gross weight of the packaging
More weight means that the fuel cost increases
It cost a lot more expensive than its alternatives
Application requires special tools or in some cases heavy machinery
It has sharp edges which are dangerous for workers without safety gear
Environmentally unfriendly as it is costs a lot to recycle steel

Polyester Strapping

Polyester strapping is probably the best option available in the market right now. It is an all round best in every category, whether it is light packing or heavy duty packing.

If you are looking to purchase polyester strapping then there no better place to get it from than Shippers Europe. They provide the best quality industrial polyester straps.

Advantages

It is as strong as steel straps but lighter in weight
Reduced weight means reduced fuel cost
It is a high tension strap and it has the ability to retain the tension for longer period of time
It is water resistant and also rust resistant
Despite having the same applications it costs nearly 25% less than steel strap
Its application is quite simple and can also be applied using hand held tools
It is safe to work with as it has dull edges and does not require the worker to wear special safety gear
Environmentally friendly as it is plastic and can be recycled easily

Disadvantages

Its elasticity is low
It is a bit more expensive than polypropylene, especially if you want to use it for light packing

Polypropylene Strapping

Polypropylene is another type of plastic strap that is a popular choice for light weight packing.

Advantages

It is the cheapest strapping material available in the market right now
It is light weight which is ideal for light packaging
It has high elongation
Its application is easy and can be performed directly by hands
Very safe to work with
It is not susceptible to any weather condition
Environmentally friendly and very easy to recycle

Disadvantages

It cannot retain tension for very long
Can only be used for light weight packing

Conclusion

As the above comparison proves, polyester strapping is the best option among the three popular choices. Although polypropylene comes close regarding the advantages, but it has its limitations which hold it back. The steel on the other hand seems outdated and a useless option as it can easily be replaced by polyester strapping in all its applications.